Selling my '06 Boxster - need help finding replacement

[Brucelee]

My wife loves here Subaru Outback wagon. Great utility, decent MPG and Cheap to buy new.

[racer_d]

Call me old fashioned, but I'm impressed that a 25 y/o is driving a 2 y/o, $50K car to begin with! All the cars you mentioned are great cars to be certain. I am partial to VW's. I would caution you to closely examine your finances and determine if another car payment, or $20K car is realistic. Perhaps a used car that's already dropped in value would be a better purchase during your time of unemployment. Also not sure how banks/loan officers like folks without jobs. Then again, maybe they love those people the most! Good luck!

[Adam]

I'd definately get the Mazda. It's pretty quick and sporty with the utility of the hatch. I've driven a standard 2006 Mazda 3 with 5 spd manual for two years now as a daily driver and it's been a great car.

[Lil bastard]

I'd give serious consideration to a MINI, maybe the Club Sport. Fairly good all-rounder for the money.

[rick3000]

I'm with Lil Bastard, give the Mini some thought.
My sister has an '02 and they are great cars! Very reliable, awesome mileage, and fun to drive. The layout uses the space well, and they are surprisingly spacious in the front. The Clubman would also be a good choice, if you don't mind the way the back looks. You would probably want an S coming from a Boxster.

I seriously considered a Mini S before I saw my Boxster.

[Quickurt]

I'm partial to Mazda, considering they are a great customer!
Seriously, they have certainly come a long way in the last few years. They take the zoom-zoom and soul of a sportscar seriously. I had an RX8 (04) for 80k miles and loved everything but the rotary engine. The platform was a great car. I now have a CX7 and it is an absolute hoot to drive, especially considering its a mid-size SUV. Tons of room, the turbo 2.3 (same as the mazdaspeed 3 and 6) and the 6 spd tiptronic are great together. The stereo is fantastic (Bose surround), seats are very comfortable, on and on and on. If I drive like a sane man..........I'm getting better than 24 mpg in a 3700 lb. vehicle.
My production manager has a 2.3, non turbo, 5 spd Mazda6 and is tickled with it.

[RandallNeighbour]

Take long-term ownership in mind if you plan to keep the car outside of the warranty period.

Japanese cars are going to make it to 100k without much of a repair bill. Mini's and VW's are not nearly as "repair free" and when repairs come along, you'll pay a lot more comparatively.

I've thought a lot about what you're about to do. I like the Mazda, but LOVE the mini, even if I went with a non-S for price and fuel economy.

BTW, I'd buy a 2 year old car with low mileage instead of a brand new one and take the extra cash and bank it for the possibility of repairs... which may not happen in a Japanese car. Everything drops like a rock value-wise after you drive it off the new car lot.